EXCLUSIVE:
Find Out Why Drew Chadwick Left Emblem3!

Our jaws dropped when Drew Chadwickannounced that he left Emblem3 to pursue a solo career, but after talking to him, we got the scoop on why he really left the band. Drew — who is now performing under the name Chadwick — told us that he had to follow his heart, and Emblem3 was holding him back.

"It was beyond a decision," Drew EXCLUSIVELY tells us. "It was kind of like, at one point it was a decision and I wouldn’t make up my mind and then it was like, just, bam, I know I have to do this. This is my calling."

He launched an Indiegogo campaign to fund his upcoming projects, including an inspirational organization called We The Change, a 2015 North American tour, and a series of new EPs — with new music that Drew promises is unlike anything you've ever heard from him before.

While we haven't listened to any of Drew's new stuff (except for maybe this video from Instagram that might be a new track), he gave us an extra-special reason for X Factor fans to get excited. He has already recorded a track with his fellow X Factor Season 2 contestantBeatrice Miller! He says it's a "super sick" new song about the power of art.

"I believe that art is the most powerful form of influence that you can have," he says, when explaining why he wrote the song. "That possibility [of art] was really exciting to me."

We're definitely excited to hear it!

Were you shocked by Drew's decision? Are you excited to hear his new music? Let us know in the comments!